This is my first post, though I've been lurking for months. Please be gentle!

I felt pretty decided on Dr. Ramos-Kelly, since I've talked with someone who went to him and everything I see on him here has been positive. I'm a read the bad reviews first kind of person, and I genuinely couldn't find unhappy patients (other than people who had access problems with coordinators).

I enlisted help from my aunt, who is fluent in Spanish, and she shared this: Ramos Kelly, M.D., has recently been excused from various hospitals in Tijuana, including florence Hospital". This is is the first I've seen anything negative! Can anyone shed some light?

I'm surprised his rating is only 3/5. Of course, this is only one website, and I suspect that there's a political/financial angle to the rankings.. I'd never seen Dr. Valenzuela or Dr. Cazarez before, and they're ranked highest.

Thanks in advance for sharing information and your experience!

That ranking page is sponsored by MBC the company that Valenzuela/Cabrera coordinate through.

NOW, that said, I loved Valenzuela/Cabrera they were great doctors, have good training, and I can't recommend them enough..

As for Dr. Kelly, I've never seen anyone on here with a bad experience with his actual surgery, but there's been a lot of drama and gossip about him in the past. I kind of get the impression he is difficult to work for.... but that wouldn't stop me from using him as my doctor.. I just wouldn't want to work for him.

I would take "rankings" from MBC with a grain of salt. There is fierce competition between the coordinating companies and sometimes less than honorable tactics are used. Especially when a dr leaves a company and goes with another or strikes out on his own.

Give more points to patients that have actually used the surgeon. Dr. R-K gets very high marks from his patients so that should count for a lot more. Search more recent posts on this forum for the current information on how to book with him.

I just used him. And he is amazing. Book directly through him. Speak to Alina. It's wlsclinic, not Mexico bariatrics. My surgery went amazing and I'm on day 3 and going shopping in tijuana!

I used Dr Kelly. That was not on there when I was searching. It did pop up there when all this crap started about Nova Hospital. I was told the same thing by his office...the owner of that site is for the top 2 drs. I had a very good experience.

Thank you all for your responses. I'm certainly weighing first-hand experience over anything else! It's quite comforting to see how positive the majority of experiences were.

My family wants me to consider Costa Rica, because it's a safer travel option, but I can't find surgeon names or first-hand testimonies about them. I'd much rather feel confident about the surgeon and procedure than go for the atmosphere.

As I have said many times before, all you have to do is call the hospitals and ask why a dr is no longer practicing there. It is on record whether the dr was banned from particular facilities.. And why. Do your research people.

I'm booked on July 16th with Dr Kelly. I was originally going to use Mexico Bariatrics but they tried a bait and switch on me to go with another Doctor. The website drramoskelly.com is owned and operated by Mexico Bariatrics too. I posted my experience on another forum. Dr Kelly can be reached through Lora, his assistant through email at wlsclinic@outlook.com.

Do a search on this website for Dr Kelly and you can find very satisfied patients.

I'm starting my packing list. Anyone else for July 16th?

I am with Dr. Kelly the 16th as well. There is another person as well.

Most of the websites featuring Dr Kelly are owned by coordinating companies. They try to bait and switch you to a less experienced, cheaper surgeon. Dr Kelly has preformed 7,000 surgeries. He should be more than all these new Drs popping up. Your risk of a complication is much higher with a less experienced surgeon and goes down the more experience they have.

I was sleeved on 4/22 and had a great experience. If you have any questions just ask. Make sure you go through Lora, she is a gem! I've not had much luck with Alina.

I was sleeved at Hospital Nova by Dr. R-K two weeks ago and had a great experience. I worked with his assistant, Lora. From what I gather....Dr. R-K left Florence (?) Hospital, because he is not a "rack 'em n stack 'em" type surgeon. Some of the surgeons do 5+ surgeries a day and make more $$$ for themselves and the hospitals. Apparently, Dr. R-K found the hospital had discharged one of his patients and dumped them in waiting room. When Dr. R-K arrived at the hospital to discharge the patient, he found his patient in the waiting room waiting to leave. Well, as to be expected.....**** hit the fan, and Dr. R-K switched to Hospital Nova because of it.

I had my surgery on May 16, 2013 with Dr. Kelly at Florence, so he still is operating out of that hospital. Unless it has changed since then.

Thanks Burnzee for doing that research for us all. That makes me feel so much better. He still does it at Nova hospital?

Dr Kelly is an excellent doctor. I was impressed with my expierence with the Nova hospital. My best advice is to research your decision and speak to actual pt

Thanks Patva I'm trying